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Old over-head photograph of Castle Clinton.
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- Location
- Castle Clinton, also known as Castle Garden, is a national monument located within the boundaries of Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan
- Throughout the years, Castle Clinton has served many different functions
- Fort
- Theater
- Opera house
- National immigrant receiving station
- Aquarium (see drawing below)
- Original purpose for Castle Clinton
- Built at the same time as Fort Wood on Bedloes Island, Fort Gibson on Ellis Island, three-tiered Castle Williams on Governors Island, and the North Battery at the foot of Hubert Street
- Initially built in order to prevent a British invasion in 1812.
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Drawing of the inside of Castle Clinton while it was used an aquarium.
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| Photograph of Castle Clinton in Battery Park http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Battery_Park.JPG Edited by Ben Zucker |
Like Fort George, Castle Clinton/Garden is a building that has gone through different uses or functions over time. What might the evolution of the uses of the building reflect about the evolution of the city itself?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting question. During Castle Clinton's years as the Southwest Battery (1811-1821), it reflects a city at war. When it was an entertainment center from 1823-1854, it shows a thriving economy with enough riches to develop entertainment spots for its New Yorkers. While Castle Garden served as an immigration center from 1855-1890, it reflects how New York was, has been, and will most likely always be an extremely diverse city. During its years as the New York City Aquarium (1896-1941), it once again shows a thriving economy. Castle Clinton today suggests that New York City's history is still rich in the mind of New Yorkers and its many tourists. The question now is, as history fades and the city maintains its ebb and flow, will there be another different use for Castle Garden?
DeleteGood question, Ben. History would suggest yes ... but perhaps the city has developed a greater appreciation for its history, and the site will remain a museum? Perhaps.
DeleteHow quick were the changes from fort to theatre to opera house etc.? Who chose to make these changes?
ReplyDeleteFrom 1823-1854, Castle garden was an entertainment center. Similarly to how Madison Square Garden could house a concert one night, a Knicks game the following night, and a Rangers game the next night, Castle Garden served different entertainment purposes any given day. Throughout those 31 years though, it was mainly used as a theater and opera house. From 1855-1890, Castle Garden was a fully functioning immigration center, similar to the one on Ellis Island. From 1896-1941 it was the New York City Aquarium. After the aquarium relocated to Coney Island in 1941, Castle Clinton began its transformation to a heavily-visited National Monument.
DeleteTo answer your second question, Castle Garden was deeded to New York City in 1823 so it was controlled by the state government, not the federal.
Check the last sentence, Ben -- it is a federal park, and thus it was closed during the recent government shutdown.
DeleteOops my bad.
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